Tragedy in figure skating: athletes from the USA and Russia have died
30 january 2025 в 18:37
The figure skating community mourns the loss of those who perished after the crash of American Airlines flight #5432 into the Potomac River on January 29, 2025, following a collision with a Black Hawk helicopter. Several figure skaters from the United States and Russia were confirmed to be on board the plane. The International Skating Union (ISU) released a statement mourning the significant loss, noting that it is «deeply saddened by the tragic incident involving American Airlines flight in Washington, D.C».
«We are devastated to learn that figure skaters, as well as their families, friends, and coaches, were reportedly on board», - acknowledged the ISU. «Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy. Figure skating is not just a sport, it is a close-knit community, and we stand together. We remain in contact with the U.S. Figure Skating Federation and offer full support during this incredibly difficult time».
In a statement obtained by ESPN, the U.S. Figure Skating Federation confirmed that several Americans were on board the plane that collided with the Black Hawk helicopter.
«The U.S. Figure Skating Federation confirms that several members of our figure skating community, unfortunately, were on board American Airlines flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter last night in Washington, D.C»., - the statement read. «We are crushed by this indescribable tragedy and hold the families of the victims close to our hearts».
The names of the American figure skaters on board AA flight #5432 were not disclosed. Several sources reported that they were young skaters from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas. The U.S. National Figure Skating Championships took place in Wichita from January 20 to 26.
Two Russian figure skaters named Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were on board the plane that crashed into the Potomac River. The spouses are the 1994 World Figure Skating Champions and participated in the Olympic Games of the same year. They later moved to Connecticut and became coaches. They have a son, Maxim Naumov, who is also involved in figure skating.
There were no survivors in the aviation disaster in Washington, according to John Donnelly, the chief of the fire and emergency medical services in the District of Columbia
«We are devastated to learn that figure skaters, as well as their families, friends, and coaches, were reportedly on board», - acknowledged the ISU. «Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy. Figure skating is not just a sport, it is a close-knit community, and we stand together. We remain in contact with the U.S. Figure Skating Federation and offer full support during this incredibly difficult time».
In a statement obtained by ESPN, the U.S. Figure Skating Federation confirmed that several Americans were on board the plane that collided with the Black Hawk helicopter.
«The U.S. Figure Skating Federation confirms that several members of our figure skating community, unfortunately, were on board American Airlines flight 5342, which collided with a helicopter last night in Washington, D.C»., - the statement read. «We are crushed by this indescribable tragedy and hold the families of the victims close to our hearts».
The names of the American figure skaters on board AA flight #5432 were not disclosed. Several sources reported that they were young skaters from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas. The U.S. National Figure Skating Championships took place in Wichita from January 20 to 26.
Two Russian figure skaters named Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were on board the plane that crashed into the Potomac River. The spouses are the 1994 World Figure Skating Champions and participated in the Olympic Games of the same year. They later moved to Connecticut and became coaches. They have a son, Maxim Naumov, who is also involved in figure skating.
There were no survivors in the aviation disaster in Washington, according to John Donnelly, the chief of the fire and emergency medical services in the District of Columbia
© Kolganov Andrey
